所得

• Reading: しょとく
• Romaji: shotoku
• Kanji breakdown: 所 (sho) — place, that which; 得 (toku) — gain, obtain, profit
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.to.kɯ/

Meaning

Income; earnings. The total amount of money earned, especially as used in tax and economic contexts.

A noun used primarily in formal, economic, and legal contexts. 所得 is broader than 給料 (salary) — it includes all sources of income such as wages, investments, and rental income. Common compounds include 所得税 (income tax), 所得格差 (income disparity), and 高所得者 (high-income earner). More formal than 収入 (shūnyū, revenue/income).

Examples

1. 年間所得に応じて所得税が計算される。 Income tax is calculated based on annual income.
2. 所得格差の拡大が社会問題になっている。 The widening income gap has become a social problem.
3. 副業を始めてから所得が大幅に増えた。 My income has increased significantly since I started a side job.

Usage Guide

Context: tax, economics, government

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 所 (sho, place/that which) + 得 (toku, gain/obtain). Literally 'that which is gained' — what one obtains through work or investment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal